Praia, Cape Verde, 14 Oct – Spanish hotel chain Barceló plans to build a hotel on Sal Island in Cape Verde, the company said in a statement.

The four star hotel, with 500 rooms and 240 apartments, is scheduled to go into operation in 2011.

The Spanish group did not disclose the amount of Money it was investing in the hotel, which will be located by one of the island’s beaches.

Barceló, Spain’s third-largest hotel chain, has said there is great tourist potential on the Cape Verdean island, which is located two hours from the Canary Islands and four hours from Spain.

The Spanish chain previously managed a small hotel on the Cape Verdean island, but did not renew its contract and suspended its operations in Cape Verde.

Barceló said in its statement that, “when the hotel is concluded the world financial crisis will be over and the location will be one of the most important to attract visitors from Spain.”

Spain has been one of the main investors in tourism in Cape Verde. (macauhub)